April 1 is last day to postmark Census forms

No fooling: Thursday is the last day for U.S. residents to postmark their forms for the 2010 U.S. Census.

The national mail participation rate - defined as the percentage of forms mailed back by households that have received them - is 52 percent as of Thursday morning. Missouri's rate is 55 percent, the same as the rate for Greene County.

Regionally, Springfield's city rate is 53 percent, with Ozark posting 50 percent, Nixa at 57 percent, Republic at 54 percent and Willard at 63 percent.

Census data is used to determine federal funding distribution and Congressional representation, according to a news release from the Missouri Office of Administration. Missouri receives an estimated $1,327 annually for each person counted in the census.

"We will continue to watch the responses and spread the word on how Missouri is doing with regards to the count,” said Kelvin Simmons, commissioner of the Office of Administration, in the release. “It’s critical that we reach every person living in our state and get them counted.”

Census workers will visit the homes of those who don't respond to the survey in an effort to get responses from as many people as possible.  

The U.S. Census Bureau offers up-to-date tracking information on response rates at its Web site.[[In-content Ad]]